Return from Relegation (2007)

Lore & Background

Following Maradona's departure in 1991, Napoli struggled financially, endured relegations and a bankruptcy prior to being re-founded in 2004. The club returned to Serie A three years later.

In Their Own Story

The lights flickered over San Paolo as the final whistle approached. It wasn't a promotion night, but for the fans in the curva, it felt like one. The tension of the early De Laurentiis years had finally broken; the team stood safe, mid-table, breathing easy. A veteran supporter wiped sweat from his brow, looking at the new signage around the stadium. 'We are back,' he whispered to the boy beside him. Not just in the league, but in our future.

Reader's Guide

Napoli's return to Serie A in 2007 was achieved under manager Edoardo Reja, who led the club back to the top flight.

Did You Know?

• Napoli's next Scudetto after 1989–1990 came in 2023, not later in the 2000s.